Nikon 800 PF Review For Wildlife Photography (first look)

Nikon just announced their new 800mm PF and my extensive first-look review for wildlife photographers is ready to go!
In this first-look video, I'll answer all the burning questions you have about the 800PF. We'll talk about the specifications, the controls, features, technology, ergonomics, sharpness, rendering, autofocus, VR performance, how hand-holdable it is, how it handles in the field, and so much more! If you want the best 800PF review for wildlife photography, this is it!
Plus, I'll pass along all of my insights, thoughts, and recommendations along the way!
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[@tor2919]

Really appreciate you paying for yourself. That sets you apart from other KZbinrs and increases your credibility exponentially. Not accepting any form of money, hotels, travels or free food is the first thing you learn in journalism school. I can’t believe how people can trust KZbinrs. There’s science on how accepting gifts makes a reporter less inclined to tell the truth.

[@backcountrygallery]

For sure. I know anytime someone gives me something I feel like I need to return the favor somehow.

[@mahoningvalleysports]

As always, you are the only one providing "real" content on wildlife and what this lens is used for. I hate it when portrait photographers run around their backyard and shoot birds at the feeder and call it "sports and wildlife review" SMH Cant wait to watch your Z9 review from a real world perspective

[@PASquared]

For $500 US more than the Canon 800 5.6, you can get the Nikon 800 6.3 and TWO Z9s. Insane

[@johnnyi2121]

or the 300pf, 500pf, 800pf and Z9 all for $17,587.80 so you still have enough left over for a hamburger!

[@patricksmith2553]

@@johnnyi2121 Honestly Canon is shockingly bad compared to Nikon and Sony right now. The plastic on their RF professional glass feels really cheap, I held the $3k hard to find 28-70mm f/2 RF. Although it’s an awesome lens, with excellent game changing characteristics, it felt cheap. The R3 is only 24mp and it’s other specs don’t meet or match up well against Nikon or Sony. I don’t like external zooming lenses, except for 24-70mm f/2.8’s, and Canon therefor has cheap feeling 70-200mm lenses. I much prefer the Nikon and Sony designs compared to the Canon 70-200mm. Canon definitely has great ergonomics, build quality and image quality…but I’m not impressed with them lately. The only thing I’m jealous of with Canon, is the R5! Nikon is killing it compares to Canon lately. Every lens Nikon makes lately (since 2018) does out pace the competition in image quality, and certainly innovation, but now, also price! It’s insane how new and innovative the Nikon 800pf is compared to the Canon. The original Canon 800mm lens was never even close to comparing to the Nikon 800mm f/5.6 FL. I’ve used both on multiple occasions and the Nikon was noticeably sharper, better. So now all Canon has done is taken a previously used DSLR era lens and add an $7,000 teleconverter! Compared to what Nikon has done, it’s embarrassing.

[@SuomiFinland78]

@@patricksmith2553 plastic RF lenses? Lol. In which world do you live?

[@patricksmith2553]

@@SuomiFinland78 I live here on Earth, genius. Have you never bought any modern lenses? Even Nikon uses plastic, everyone does. It’s the quality of the plastic I was referring to. I felt the $3,000 28-70mm f/2 RF felt sort of cheap. Compare to say my 70-200mm f/2.8E VR FL, which also uses polycarbonate/plastic.

[@SuomiFinland78]

@@patricksmith2553 I have both 100-500 and 200-600, try me that Canon has more plastic or that it’s done worst that Canon’s one. I have also had the possibility to try 100-400 Nikon, I really have big troubles to understand how can you say that Canon’s lens are made by cheap plastic and Nikon’s are not. So listen Nikon’s fanclub Nikon is the best brand ever, but it’s the one with the biggest economic problems, how can you explain that? Without Sony’s sensor it would have been already in bankrupt.

[@brucegraner5901]

Great introduction to this lens. It's good to see Nikon becoming a pace setter again.

[@PSYCHIC_PSYCHO]

I am a real estate photographer, I use the F Mount 800mm lens to photograph interiors

[@robwilliams2735]

Awesome video Steve. Sounds great and will be on a lot of wildlife and bird photographers wish lists! Thanks for getting this information out so quickly, looking forward to more of your trips and content. All the best from the UK.

[@dance2jam]

Thanks again Steve for always being as complete as possible and giving an informative review!

[@AdamBenJaffel]

Even though owning a 6.5k lens is out of question for me, watching your videos is always educational and fun! Thank you Steve 🙏🏻

[@jaimeduncan6167]

Maybe they will hit the rental houses in big quantity. Can you imagine this lens for rent? even aficionados / prosumers. are going to rent it. Price and easy to handle, good AF it could make a difference and it weights. just 90g more than the 200-500mm !

[@AdamBenJaffel]

@@jaimeduncan6167 i own a 200 500 and the 90g diffrence as you mentioned is really impressive! And the vr on this thing is unbelievable! On my 200 500 if i get sharp shots at 1/500 handheld i would be so hyped! Unfortunately where i live (tunisia) there is no lens rental to speak of 😅 they are too expensive in my currency and there is not point in importing them.. Just one more item in my santa wishlist 😂

[@venkatalgramam4461]

Steve the info you give is simple accurate , straightforward and most importantly unbiased. Thanks a ton.

[@tima8939]

I just can't believe you got all those amazing examples in just one six hour session! I am not worthy. Steve, thanks for putting together such an informative review. Love your channel, and your tutorials!

[@andrewsmith3121]

Another excellent preview/review. Excellent examples and it really shows how impressed with this lens you are. Super excited to get mine in a few weeks.

[@davidsneddon2242]

Steve good morning, I just love your breathless delivery every time. This is just excellent so can’t wait to see the full review. First class as always. This lens looks amazing and the price point is sensational.

[@mrhallphotography]

Another great review Steve. Always crisp, clear and concise, If not a little exuberant!

[@adammacsween3230]

Thanks again Steve for another incredibly informative video. It is great to see you get hold of the pre-production version and do a preview on it. I look forward to the actual review on the 800 and Z9.

[@catmonkey6826]

Always a huge pleasure watching your videos Steve.

[@KonaLife]

Incredible hands-on review, Steve. Thank you so much for the great video review!

[@ganeshbeee]

Amazing video as always Steve! This lens is indeed a game changer!

[@seantomlinson3320]

Fantastic, so glad you got a chance to do this Steve.

[@JollyGreenGiant94]

Another great video. I live in Central Florida and am pretty sure I recognized most, if not all, the places you visited this trip. I am happy to see Nikon really stepping up their game with the Z9 and now this lens. Makes me excited to see what the future holds especially at these lower price points.

[@tenrec]

Steve, you're an amazingly talented wildlife photographer. I follow the blog of a world-famous bird photographer, and the shots you show in this video, taken within the span of just a few hours, blow away most of the work I've seen from him over a period of years. Regarding this 800 PF, I'm amazed that this incredible 800mm lens weighs just about the same as my 200-500mm Nikkor! Its image quality is also much, much higher than that of the zoom.

[@Interbeing_CDN]

Thank you Steve for your excellent preliminary review, I have preordered the 800mm and I'm second in the queue at my local camera shop, can't wait to get it!

[@JeffGeerling]

I'm glad you get to play with this exotic and share with all of us... because I don't think I'll ever get the opportunity to have one on my camera! It looks amazing for those who can actually put it to use and justify the purchase.

[@seantomlinson3320]

Renting is awesome

[@creynolds247]

Thanks for another great video Steve - the 800 PF does indeed look like a game changer, I'm thinking it would be great for outdoor athletics photography too. It'd be great to have that combination of image quality, af speed and low mass on a full event day! It weighs less than the 200 f2!

[@cageycretins]

Fantastic lens, fantastic shots and a fantastic preview/review! 👍✌

[@wirawijoga7006]

Thanks Steve. As always, great review. Looking forward for your next review using the lens with the Z9 !

[@Sashman077]

Thank you so much for this (p)review. I really appreciate your videos. BTW, you’re the first to announce the price of this gem!

[@BayouJosh]

Fantastic job Steve. We are glad to see Nikon put the lens in your hands. Best first look of the lens. Thoroughly enjoyed your impressions.

[@stephenmoon4196]

Thanks for this update Steve. I have the 500PF but this could mean another trip to the Nikon dealer. BTW, it was good to bump into you the other week at Merritt Island and thanks for advice there also. (I was the Brit who spoke to you at the end of your shoot). Cheers Steve

[@user-lp6gv5sf1f]

Thank you for your clear, kind and reasonable review. I've ordered !

[@cryptographerchris4856]

Thanks for the first look video. Can't wait for final conclusion video.

[@Dr_BK]

Fantastic overview Steve. Looking forward to seeing more of this lens on the channel. It will be really difficult for me NOT to preorder now :) Thanks as always!

[@Tdog500]

Thanks! Great info as always. Now just have to order and wait.

[@mickue]

Thx for the First look. Great Video as always!

[@Falcon012287]

Great stuff, Steve! Wonderful video.

[@ddunnum]

Thanks for that review. Sounds like pretty amazing results and a remarkable price.

[@benwilliams7502]

Awesome video Steve I can't wait for this lens to start shipping.

[@paddym.h.427]

Great review and information. In a day and half with a pre-production lens you grabbed more keepers than I have obtained in a career. Awesome. Thanks for showing us the capability of this great lens used with the Z9. Hopefully, Nikon will be able to meet the demand for this product. At a minimum, Nikon showed some wisdom in getting this lens in the hands of a professional that can utilize the equipment and can deliver on what it is capable of in about 36 hours. Very impressive and thanks for the free update to the Nikon AutoFocus Guide. The guide is incredible value and every Nikon Shooter should include it with his/her purchase of any Nikon Mirrorless camera.

[@margaritan6622]

Great review! Looks like a great lens. Thank you for your review.

[@Vlaakster]

Stunning photography in this video. I know the lens is fantastic but the fact that a short lens preview video has imagery this fantastic says a lot about your passion and skill. Excellent work Steve!

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks so much! See my follow-up video more the story behind the photos.

[@hapless5391]

Thank you! Having just gone to a 500pf and being totally delighted, I sense it'll be a while before I could afford this one. However - watching your video means to me that I dont need to wonder IF I really need a 800pf. That allows a more relaxed and happy continuing 500pf relationship. Great stuff Steve - as always!

[@patriciablyler6484]

I absolutely love my 500 PF so getting this was a no brainer for me! Preordered it this morning. Still waiting for the Z9 to ship but hopefully it won't be much longer and I can't wait to get out and start shooting with the Z9 + 800 PF combo!

[@normanwei4896]

Great review..Steve. I just ordered it this morning.

[@Zifiron]

Good review, sir! This lens is definitely on my list as of today. It will pair beautifully with my Z9.. Let the waiting begin

[@enigmabletchley6936]

Great video. Looking forward to seeing the results video, as well.

[@gewglesux]

"Impressive array of acronyms" Priceless Steve! Thanks!!

[@loganhall5580]

Ordered at 1:09 AM EST from NikonUSA. This video confirms my decision; can't wait to see the full review and detailed comparisons! This lens seems like a no brainer to pair with my 500PF...

[@kennylim136]

Steve you hit it on the head solid when it comes to f6.3 vs the lighter weight@. I take lighter all day long. Thanks for reviewing!

[@Bikash_Jana]

Best review as always..Thanks

[@porkster5924]

Wow. What an amazing lens and definitely one I will consider adding to my camera bag.

[@Ws6er97]

This is nothing short of revolutionary. Price point, weight and size is the realization of what a full frame mirrorless set up could be. This isn't cheap but it's justifiable for serious hobbyists and aspiring pros. I am going to put in an order for a Z9 to pair with my 500pf adapted. I will be looking forward to renting the 800pf for big trips.

[@cambodiabird]

Thank you for sharing, after watching this... I put this on my list :)

[@marcelorescala8935]

Great review Steve. I can't wait to see the upcoming review! with this lens I bet you are seriously about dumping your DSLRs...

[@neerajr3134]

Great to see you commitment to remaining unbiased

[@neilsimpson8687]

Great initial review, Steve. I’m still in the dark ages with my wildlife kit, ie D7200 with 80-400 4.5-5.6G lens. I’ve been biding my time converting to mirrorless but this lens would seriously tempt me because with the 80-400mm on a crop sensor I’d often like even more reach. And half the time with the 80-400 I’m at f/6.3 or f/7.1 anyway so this new 800mm with its constant f/6.3 aperture wouldn’t bother me as I’ve gotten used to working around these downsides for the last few years. I’ll be looking forward to your longer term review.

[@NikonShooterFromHolland]

Men… these reviews you make are awesome ! You were the reason i bought the D500, the 200-500, 500PF… shooting the Z9 now and looking at your 800mm F6.3 PF S lens review…. Gotta pull my wallet again ! Thx Steve !

[@3MInteresantisimo]

always great information.

[@Pukeontheduke]

Awesome lens and review! Thank you! I use the 500pf and absolutely love it. I might upgrade it to the 800pf, if I switch from f to z-mount. Greetings from Germany!

[@dunnymonster]

Such a high recommendation from you Steve means Nikon will sell these 800mm lenses by the boatload! Crazy low price too which brings such a focal length within the grasp of mere mortals 😊

[@JeremyEll]

Thanks for the review! Looking for your next update on this lens using teleconverters 🥳

[@cesarm8811]

As always Steve a great review on the pre-production 800mm. I am looking forward to your review when you get your lens. As hobbyist photographer, I can't afford the 800mm lens and the Z9 combination. I hope Nikon is working on a D500 replacement and 200-600mm lens for us hobbyist photographer.

[@BobG-eh5fc]

Thanks, great review!

[@Altitude2011]

Hi Steve, great video as always. Don’t you think that we live in an exciting era regarding photography! We have so much choice and the gear is so great! All this equipment can give us so many opportunities to take pictures and makes the process much easier!

[@backcountrygallery]

For sure! It wasn't that long ago where there were scarcely any options for serious wildlife photography short of $12K lenses. So much to choose from now.

[@jaimeduncan6167]

Great first impressions,, it's better than most people's full review. I am a fan of the pf optics, for people that are not super pros affording the big ones is near impossible, and they are complex when traveling. In my country we finally got rentals, but there are no exotics, so I can just go and rent a 600mm as I can in NYC for example.

[@PhilThach]

I can shoot confidently handheld at 1/250s with the ultra-cheap Canon 800mm f//11 when using it on the Canon R6 combining the Cameras IBIS and the lenses IS. I'm surprisingly very happy with the Canon 800 F/11 so this lens at f/6.3 is going to be amazing in my opinion. Great work as always, Steve!

[@randallortegachaves9214]

Very handy information especially since I live in Costa Rica and lowlight and ground dwellers are part of my daily scenario. Can't wait to get one and put it to the test get some manakins and antpittas or Quetzals in flight. Thanks a lot, Pura Vida.

[@guenni0812]

Oh man, I pre-ordered. I am very happy. We'll see how it fares on my Z6_II. Best regards from Germany / Siebenbebirge. Gunter

[@DanC]

What an exciting lens! Gonna stick with my 500 PF because price and size but this is now on the dream list.

[@matthewbell1968]

Thank you Steve you've put down your own money to get us a top quality review (as ever). This lens looks a game changer the only concern being whether it will be subject to the delays that the 500pf came with. I had to wait 15 months for my pf, hopefully Nikon have got on top of this as this looks a great lens. Thanks again Steve

[@andrewmason8691]

Thanks to Steve, the wait could be double that.

[@danielng5903]

Good afternoon Steve . Thanks for sharing .

[@davidmurphy7847]

Hope you do a full tutorial on how to best use Z9 focus modes in wildlife shooting.

[@manosskg]

Actually I am praying for this!

[@seantomlinson3320]

I love this lens after my rental. So glad I have that option but I’d love to own it!

[@paulinoaz]

Great preliminary review on a fascinating lens. I agree the lightweight and price greatly overshadow the f/6.3 min. aperture. I am by no means a professional and would never be able to justify a 800mm prime before but this brings that within range now.

[@jss27560]

You have nothing to worry about as far as your impartiality concerning your reviews. Always enjoyable experience.

[@terrywbreedlove]

With my EM1X and 300mm f4 i can routinely hand hold at 20th of a second for sharp photos. That is a 600mm FF equivalent field of view focal length. The new VR technology is incredible. Now i only worry about having a quick enough shutter speed to stop the animals movement who needs a tripod anymore. Nikon knocked this one out of the park such and amazing kit with the Z9.

[@mostroamarillo]

Estoy ahorrando para comprarme la Z9 y luego iré por este lente. Muchas gracias por el video.

[@gregoryrogalsky6937]

Nice shots Steve Your a excellent photographer . Looks like Nikon has a real winner with this new Nikkor 800 6.7. Glad to see Nikon is making a Super Telephoto to the line up for the Z. For now I am still using my legacy Nikkor 800 5.6 IF-ED AI-s but i am excited for everyone who can afford to drop 8k Canadian on Nikon new light weight option.

[@stanpiper8158]

Sold. Nice review. Like the recent Z9 firmware update, that sounds like a lot of performance for the overall investment.

[@cbphoto87]

Just decided to go all in on the PF trinity after deliberating for months on possibly swapping out my 500 pf for the 400 or 600 TC. This gives me way more flexibility to mix and match these lenses depending on what type of hike or trip I'm doing and going used for the 300 and 500 got me the whole set for under 9k.

[@daniawilliams3658]

Hey Steve, another great video. I appreciate how you always keep things on level so as not to owe anything to any company. I trust your opinion more than anyone else out there. I have room for a single purchase. I love to shoot birds, but I also shoot bear, elk and deer. Would this lens be the best option for me? Thanks so much for the great information you provide us with!

[@dougsaroma]

Great shots, nice review! Only thing is now I'm gonna have to get a Z body.

[@PrasadPalaniyandi]

Hey Nikon... Finally, you roped in True Photographer instead of Utubers... You should have done it a long time ago, at least for Z9 and 400/2.8... But glad to see Steve is onboarded and hope to see Nikon will continue in near future as well so that we see unbiased authentic opinions...

[@ronm2597]

Steve - First, a thank you. I ventured into Nikon after reading your review of the 500 PF, pairing it with a D850......I have been delighted with this combo for several reasons. Just saw your introductory video of the 800 PF. This lens is of interest because the small songbirds I photograph are often further away than I would like. The Z9 is of interest because I am certain it is the best camera possible to use with the 800 PF. As another of your videos indicates, mirrorless cameras love to focus on backgrounds (I had a short experience with the R5, which I returned, a couple of years ago). Hopefully, with some learning/experience using the Z9 I’ll be able to focus, activate the shutter, and obtain in focus songbird pictures more often than not, at least with stills. I hope to do the same with larger birds in flight, ospreys, herons, etc. Nevertheless, I realize that at times I will have to either use focus preset or pre-focus manually for the mirrorless AF to do it's job. Re manual focus over-ride, does the Z9 have the same type of manual focus over-ride that I have on the D850? In other words, if I leave the camera in AF, can I at any time twist the manual focus ring and engage manual focus? Can I then engage AF again only by pressing the shutter half way down or pressing the AF-On button? Many Thanks - Ron

[@merkin22]

Thanks for this, Steve. I spoke to my local camera store guy this week about this lens :) Given I (foolishly) handhold my 180-400 (with senior citizen biceps and shoulders) most of the time, I'm truly looking forward to the reach and manageability of this lens. And loving your mirrorless AF book.

[@backcountrygallery]

Yup, I you can handle the 180-400, this is nothin'

[@gyozakeynsianism]

Great video. I'm really surprised with how well it renders out-of-focus areas (given that it's PF). And the price? Wow. What a knockout of a lens.

[@knightryderbelow]

Great combo with the Z9

[@deepak_karra]

Hi Steve. Thanks mate. I always look forward to seeing your videos. They are so informative. Just wondering if you have compared Nikon 600mm f4 & 800mm f6.3? Which one would you keep if you had only one choice? With Z9 body. Thanks 😊

[@robb7342]

Thanks for the review Steve. Hopefully Nikon makes either the long awaited 600mm or 800mm PF lens for us SLR users.

[@Marco_Wildlife]

Great review. Hopefully the z9 availability will improve as it is a lens that screams to be coupled with a high performance camera.

[@kirostar12]

Nice review Steve! Good news for the Nikon shooters. I am in about to switch from Canon to OM - System. I don't think anyone else can offer me, at least for now, the lighter and more compact equipment that Olympus offers from the 600mm F4 to 840 mm F5.6 range. As a travel photographer, this is important to me. I'm about to try out their new OM-1 camera.

[@CZOV]

Absolutely brilliant lens from Nikon. I envy Nikon shooters for the affordable gems Nikon produces both cameras and lenses. As a Canon shooter i am constantly broke :)

[@longrider9551]

Wow I don't shoot Nikon but they deserve credit for coming on strong

[@pavochon]

That's a dream setup Z9 + 800 PF, but easy for you to handheld with those guns :-)

[@jakesdewet3567]

I used the F mount 800f 5.6 on one trip to Kgalagadi in South Africa, one amazing lens and hope this one is more affordable. If so I will jump onto it immediately. In combination with the 100-400 it would be amazing combination.

[@nevtube15]

Wow..impressive

[@chrisguli2865]

Nice objective pre-review of this lens. I think for the price this lens will be in high demand, especially with the warmer weather coming in our half of the world. f/6.3 is no biggie with the VR/IBIS and EVFs - would be a bigger concern in the DSLR world. Also consider the wider the aperture, the bigger the lens elements which equals heavier glass. So there's always a trade off between weight and max aperture.

[@PrimalShutter]

The 500 5.6 + 1.4x is also probably a killer setup

[@kennethmull6961]

Love your enthusiasm for the lens and wish you luck with getting a production model. I am still disappointed that I have not been able to get the Z100-400 or the Z24-120. Apparently Nikon has only supplied enough for the Nikon pro's and we normal mortals are left out for in the cold. As for the 800PF, my guess that it wouldn't be available until 2023 for the rest of us.

[@TheAirplaneDriver]

Excellent review! Would you mind sharing where you took these shots? Looks like a great location. Thanks.

[@JRodPhotoArt]

Hello Steve, Amazing review. I can't wait to see you with the full production model. Thank you so much for including all of your camera settings. I have been struggling to get better images with my Z9. I have been shooting a lot of birds in flight at 1/3200 and they are not coming out in focus. According to your pictures, I am shooting way too fast of a shutter speed. I will get back out there and test more.

[@backcountrygallery]

1/3200th is my normal go-to. The AF system on the Z9 takes some getting used to. I'll be talking about it a little more in my next video.

[@backcountrygallery]

@Photo Bunny There's a lot that goes into BIF work. I have a video on it : kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGrNlKCEl9Z6qLc I also have a BIF book if you want to go deeper. Once you're done with that, you'll get BIF shots :)

[@backcountrygallery]

@Photo Bunny Yes, digital only. Too many firmware updates to keep up - if I had physical inventory I'd end up with lots of useless books each time Nikon put out a major update.

[@rickyboller]

Vielen Dank für dein Video. Es ist ein fantastisches Objektiv. Ich selbst fotografiere mit der Canon R5. Wenn Canon sein 800er Objektiv zu einem ähnlichen Preis anbieten würde wäre es toll. Da ist Nikon Canon meilenweit voraus. Ein Glück für alle die sich irgendwann einmal für Nikon entschieden haben.